Azerbaijan is one of the newest additions to the Formula 1 calendar, hosting a race since 2016. Architect Hermann Tilke again went to work, designing a 6.003-km street circuit in the capital city of Baku. The track is the second-longest on the calendar after Spa-Francorchamps.

Drivers are treated to a very special tour of the city while lapping the track, with the layout passing famous sights such as the Maiden Tower, passes the historic old town and the beach promenade. The pits are directly in front of the Government House building.

The circuit features the 90-degree bends now obligatory for street racetracks. A lap here starts with three left-handers before turning right at 90 degrees. A short straight section is followed by a left-right chicane. Two more straights, split by a right-hander, lead to a short sequence of four narrow turns bearing a strong resemblance to the circuit in Mexico.

The remainder of the track is less exciting and the corners are nowhere near as tight and twisty. After Turn 16, there are in theory four more turns, but they can all be taken at full throttle. A two-kilometre section, also taken at full-throttle, then awaits drivers.

As the circuit is not a permanent race track, grip, or the lack of it, plays an important role. The track must first be rubbered in. Having plenty of mechanical grip is also important in this respect so that drivers can power out of the 90-degree corners. Last but not least, engine power is also a decisive factor at Baku, especially in view of the long straight towards the end of the lap.